More early April goodness

Wild Turkey, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

OK, I know that wild turkeys can fly and that they roost in trees but I have to say that seeing a bird that large that high up in a tree silhouetted against the morning sky was quite an unexpected sight.

There is no better time to see palm warblers, little yellow balls lit up by the rising sun.

Or goldfinches, though this one's brightness seems to have disabled my camera.

Lots of singing and chasing. The palm warblers were even going after the goldfinch.

Speaking of high male hormone levels, the tree swallows have discovered the nest boxes and are now competing four and five at a time for possession. And coming after me too. Others (below) are simply playing a waiting game.

The tree swallows are a wonderfully disruptive force, especially irritating to house sparrows, who are finding their claims of ownership contested.